How to Apply for Admission

This page explains how to apply for admission to the Astronomy Program; please note that the Physics Program has a separate admissions committee. The deadline for admission to the Fall 2009 semester is December 31, 2008. The Astronomy Program does not offer Spring admission.

Part of your application should be sent to the Astronomy Program, and another part should be sent to the University's Admissions Office.

To the Astronomy Program:

This section describes the materials we need to begin evaluating your application; this information should be sent to us directly.

• Astronomy Program Supplemental Information Form

  Fill out and submit the online form, or download the PDF form and mail it to us at the address below.

• Personal Statement

  Describe your experience, your interests, your goals, your achievements (not necessarily academic) and any other information you think might be relevant to your application.

• GRE General and Physics Scores

  Please arrange to have your scores sent to the Astronomy Program (department code = 0801) at the University of Hawaii, Manoa (institution code = 4867). You should also report your GRE scores on our Supplemental Information Form; if you receive your scores after sending the form, email them directly to us. We will accept scores from exams taken through the end of 2008.

• Evaluation Forms

  Download three copies of this PDF form, and have them completed by three faculty members or other people who are familiar with your work. Evaluation forms should be mailed directly to the address below.

The mailing address for all correspondence is:

If you have any questions, want to report GRE scores, or need paper copies of the PDF forms, please contact the Graduate Chair, Dr. Joshua Barnes, via email at grad-chair@ifa.hawaii.edu or by calling (808) 956-8138 between 18:00 and 02:00 GMT.

To the Admissions Office:

This section summarizes the materials you should send to the University's Graduate Admissions Office; see Graduate Division Documentation Requirements for details. The Admissions Office will forward this information to us.

• Online Admissions Application

  Complete the Personal Information, the College or University Attendance, and the Choice of Graduate Program forms. Under Graduate Program Supplemental Information are several forms you may need to submit via mail:

  • Worksheet C - Confidential Financial Information Form
    (Fall 2009 - Spring 2010)

    Submit this form if you are an international applicant who will be supported by personal and/or family funds or a government or private sponsor. If you require a graduate assistantship to come here, you do not need to submit this form.

  • Residency Decleration Form
    (Fall 2009 - Spring 2010)

    Submit this form ony if you are claiming Hawaii residency.

  You do not need to complete Worksheet E - Graduate Program Information Form since the Astronomy Program has its own form (see above).

• TOEFL or IELTS Scores (International students only)

  These are generally required if your native language is not English. You are exempt from this requirement if you have earned a bachelor's or advanced degree within the last five years at a regionally accredited or recognized institution in the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, or the United Kingdom.

• Official Transcripts from present and past universities

  Submit one current official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended. Transcripts are NOT required for work completed at UH campuses.

Transcripts and anything else not submitted electronically should be mailed to: